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Russian President

President Putin arrives in Beijing for state visit

by
President Putin

BEIJING:  Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a state visit to China, where he was received by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The visit, which comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded a trip to China, marks Putin’s 25th official visit to the country, according to Chinese media.

A guard of honour was presented at the airport by Chinese military personnel, while young supporters waved Russian and Chinese flags to welcome the Russian leader.

According to Chinese state media, Putin will stay at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, a traditional venue for hosting foreign dignitaries. His official programme is scheduled to begin Wednesday with a ceremony at Tiananmen Square, followed by talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Chinese media highlighted contrasts in diplomatic protocol between recent visits by Putin and Trump, noting that Trump was received by China’s vice president and stayed at a five-star hotel near the U.S. embassy, with his visit concluding with a tea meeting and working lunch at Zhongnanhai.

Analysts cited by state media said the differences in protocol reflect varying levels of diplomatic relations, with Washington’s ties with Beijing remaining strained compared to what China describes as a closer strategic partnership with Moscow.

Putin’s visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the China–Russia Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation, which is widely seen as a foundation of bilateral relations.

Russian President Putin makes animated debut in Prostokvashin

by
Russian President

Moscow:  Russian President Vladimir Putin has surprised audiences by stepping into the world of animation, appearing for the first time in a popular children’s cartoon instead of the usual political arena.

According to international media reports, President Putin featured in the well-known Russian animated series Prostokvashino, delighting viewers with an unexpected cameo. In the episode, he was seen interacting with the show’s famous talking cat and dog while extending New Year greetings to the nation.

Residents of the fictional village of Prostokvashino were shown reacting with astonishment as they watched the Russian president appear alongside their favorite animated characters on screen.

The appearance marked the first time a character based on President Putin has been introduced into a cartoon, drawing interest not only from children but also from adult viewers.

Parents visiting the Prostokvashino theme park in Moscow welcomed the move, calling it entertaining and creative. One visitor, Marina, remarked that “anything is possible in cartoons, so why not Putin?” Another parent said children are already familiar with the president, making his cartoon appearance engaging for young viewers and intriguing for international audiences as well.

The idea to portray President Putin as an animated character was conceived by Yuliana Slashcheva, chairwoman of the Soyuzmultfilm studio.

 She noted that Russian cartoons are widely exported to former communist states, the Middle East, and other regions, with plans to expand cultural reach in China.

Slashcheva emphasized that President Putin’s inclusion in Prostokvashino is being used as a form of “soft power,” aimed at promoting Russian culture, values, and national identity globally.

The president’s unexpected animated appearance has quickly gone viral on social media, where users are describing it as both amusing and surprising.

Putin, Netanyahu discuss Trump’s peace plan and regional security

by
Putin

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation to discuss key regional issues, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

According to the Kremlin, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

They also expressed a shared interest in resolving issues related to Iran’s nuclear program through dialogue.

The conversation further covered ways to promote greater stability in Syria, the Kremlin added.

On the other hand, Ceasefire negotiations aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza are currently taking place in Egypt’s resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh. The proposed agreement has sparked strong reactions from key regional and international players, with Iran, Egypt, the United Nations, and Germany issuing statements that reflect both support and caution.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has expressed support for the proposed ceasefire, describing it as a potential step toward ending what it calls the “genocide in Gaza.” However, Tehran emphasized that the final decision must rest with the Palestinian people and resistance groups on the ground.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reiterated that true and lasting peace in the Middle East is unattainable without the establishment of a free and sovereign Palestinian state. He argued that sustainable regional stability requires the restoration of Palestinian rights and compliance with international law.